DODGE CITY, Kan. (KSNW) – New details have been revealed about the death of a Dodge City teen being held at a juvenile detention facility in Junction City. Multiple agencies are investigating his death.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Department for Children and Families are both investigating the 17-year-old boy’s death.
KSN spoke with the director at the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility. He did not release the child’s identity but did share some details on the circumstances.
The director said the 17-year-old was a runaway and was placed in the facility for allegedly violating court orders. He also said this facility is the only secure care center in the state. It provides a stable place for kids to go through therapy and get resources.
The director added the 17-year-old had no medical or mental health issues, and there were no concerns with his behavior. He was not considered a high risk.
The staff spoke with the teen the night before when the child declined to do physical therapy before going to bed. When they went to wake him up the next morning, they found him dead.
The KBI told KSN that the preliminary autopsy results are expected Thursday, but they have not yet been released.
This death is sparking questions. KSN reached out to state lawmakers who oversee the juvenile justice system.
“It certainly warrants an investigation,” said State Representative Stephen Owens (R).
So what happened, and why was the teen held in a facility more than 200 miles from home when there are other closer locations?
“Southwest Regional Juvenile Detention Facility in Garden City. So why that individual wasn’t there? I don’t know. Could they not provide the services? And that’s why he was in Junction City. There are so many things that we don’t know,” said Owens.
The director of the facility in Junction City says the facility provides community care and therapy.
“Kansas has tried to move away from incarceration and detention models in favor of spending the limited resources that we have on keeping children in the community and out of detention centers,” said State Representative John Carmichael (D).
Both lawmakers say the juvenile justice system is under consistent review.
“We’re constantly looking at programming and opportunities,” said Owens.
“In January, you can expect that there will be hearings and there will be a lot more information about not just this incident, but overall the entire juvenile justice system and the child in the care system,” said Carmichael.
Both lawmakers say more needs to be done to safeguard young people in the justice system.
The DCF would only confirm that the youth was in state custody and at the facility for secure care needs.
The DCF did provide KSN with the following statement:
The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is not able to provide information specific to this case as it remains under investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.Â
Geary County Secure Care operates as a secure care residential center and a detention center for youth. Secure care and detention are located within the same building but are separate licensed units.Â
A secure care center is a residential facility that provides care and treatment for children and youth alleged or adjudicated to be in need of care who have elevated behavioral needs and who have violated a court order to remain in placement. Admittance to a secure care center requires a court authorization.Â
While we can’t provide specific details about this case at this time, we can confirm that the youth was in the custody of the Secretary of DCF and at the facility for secure care needs. Secure care centers, including Geary County Secure Care, are licensed through DCF. Geary County Secure Care Center is currently the only licensed secure care facility in the state.”
Department for Children and Families